Ba'asyir smiled and waved at waiting reporters, saying: "The will of God must be carried out."

Ansyaad Mbai, the top anti-terror official at Indonesia's security ministry, said police had enough evidence to prove Ba'asyir was a senior leader of JI, the group blamed for the Bali attack which killed 202 people.

"Abu Bakar Ba'asyir will be charged with all bombings committed by Jemaah Islamiah because he is the leader of the group," he said.

"Many witnesses have said the bombings were approved by him. We have a strong case and we have strong evidence."

The proof, police said, included documents uncovered during investigations into the activities of Islamic militants in Indonesia and the Philippines.

Police also said they had evidence that Ba'asyir oversaw the graduation ceremonies of militants in the Philippines and appointed one of JI's senior leaders.

Police attempted to question Ba'asyir on Wednesday - two days before his release - but he refused to cooperate.

'Fight back'

Ba'asyir has not been previously charged in connection with the Bali attacks, but he did stand trial accused of plotting to overthrow the government as the alleged spiritual leader of JI.

He was cleared of treason in September 2003, but was instead jailed for four years for subversion and immigration offences. The subversion charge was later overturned on appeal.

But since he was last in court a new law has come into force which sets a lower burden of proof in cases
involving terrorism.